First day of Kindergarten.

Maybe, just maybe a little overkill on the pictures, but I have to remember these two little faces because they will soon change, too soon.  I know it happens fast that they grow up and I will no longer be their favorite person in the world and I am not trying to stop any growing they may do, I actually welcome it, but it is still hard.  I was the crying mom standing in their new classroom trying to quickly wipe away the tears and smile as huge as I could, I did not want my children to think I wasn't happy, and really I was.  Maybe they were tears of joy like Matt said cause now I get to take a nap when Marie does, but I have to admit there was some sadness in those tears.  Not because I couldn't handle them being away for three hours a day, because I can....I REALLY can.  I think it has to do with them loosing a little bit of their innocence once they start school.  Maybe having to deal with some mean kids or hearing some language they wouldn't hear in our home.  It has to happen I cannot shelter them forever and really since I have to send them away everyday for school there is NO other place I would rather do that then right here in Logan.

 

Matt and I left the school feeling overwhelmed with gratitude that they are in the school they are in.  That I was a substitute teacher there and know a lot of the teachers already, that Matt's sister Brenda is a teacher there and loves our kids to death and she will be just down the hall.  That we have lived in three wards in North Logan so we know many of the people we saw coming and going that day to drop of their kids.  That they are in walking distance of our home church and grandma's house and that they went already having little neighborhood friends that they have spent many days with this summer.  It felt good and right and like a huge blessing.....but it was still just a little sad.

 

 

 the boys have a lot of neighborhood friends some are older but a few started kindergarten with them. Tait, Daniel, Nathan, and Terrick.

                                                    All grown up and ready to learn

 They started out the day with a little visit from their Aunt Brenda who is a third grade teacher at the same school.

This is their new teacher Mrs. Martinez.  This is her first year teaching and she graduated from USU.  She is so cute and we even got to see her that same night at the USU game, they started school off right to have a True Aggie for their first teacher.

4th of July 2012

Finally time to post about my favorite holiday ever.  It's always the same every year. We spend a few days in Liberty Utah up by the Noel family cabin.  Usually a day at the lake and then the actual fourth is spent at Liberty park.  There is a small town parade in the morning and the kids are always dressed up real festive, all the grand kids are loaded in the decorated trailer and my dad drives them down the road so everyone can cheer and the kids can throw candy.  Then there is a breakfast along with booths and games all day.

 

 We have to take a few minutes out of our busy day to take some pictures of these beautiful festive little people.

 And the excitement is always enough to just poop you right out.

 And then my cute little nieces seem to always put their money together to buy some little treasure for my kiddos. This year a little princess costume for our little princess. 

 Marie mooches treats off of anyone who will let her......which isn't too hard since most of us just can't say no to this little one.

 The fourth of July is not the fourth of July without a lot of watermelon and Marie does not want to waste one bit.

 A game of horse shoes and some cousin time...good for the soul.

 Maybe not totally excited to share a soda, but it makes mom feel better then giving them each their own can of pure sugar.

 And my cute parents.  Mom Noel with endless energy and my cute dad who has completely lost all of his.

 And where else can you go fishing with your bare hands in a massive pool for your own trout? 

 These are some lucky blessed kids who get to see both Grandmas and many times together at the same party.

The day is never complete without a ride on the tractor Caterpillar.

We always end the day with dinner and then a huge dance at dusk....and of course fireworks at dark.  Like I said it really is just the perfect holiday at the perfect place.

a day at the lake.

A few things  I learned about Marie over the fourth of July weekend.  She is not afraid to go to ANYONE even complete strangers, she could eat watermelon all day long if we let her, and she LOVES, LOVES, LOVES playing in the sand and the water.

 

I am always a little anxious about our little family get togethers, thinking "oh it will be a long day for my kids, they will get little sleep, they will eat to much junk, they can't be outside in the hot sun all day long." But we always go and we never regret it and the memories made always outweigh coming home and dealing with loads of laundry, grumpy tired children, and a huge mess of a car to clean up.

I do realize I take way more pictures of Marie than I do of the boys, believe me it's not because I don't think the boys are just the cutest things ever...cause I do!! But I realized they are just not around as much. They are older and off playing with each other, friends, or cousins.  Marie is obviously the one connected to me at the hip...but believe me I don't mind.  This little girl is so much fun.  I will never forget her excitement and joy as she played in the lake and bounced on the blow up alligator.  She loved playing in the sand with her girl cousins and they love telling me all day how cute she is.  How great it is to be a part of such a wonderful family.  I feel overly blessed.